I am 26 Type 1, taking Lantus and Humalog.

Hi I am 26 Type 1 on Lantus/Humalog. I am having a great amount of difficulty figuring out how much Lantus to give and when. Please if you have any advice please help. FYI, I have had diabetes for 20 years, so I am not new to this, but recently, I have lost control of my sugars and would like to see what other 20-somethings with a similar lifestyle are doing with their Lantus. I commute and work full-time and can't seem to find the time to exercise, which is probably a part of the problem…Please help!!

21 replies

For me Lantus doesn't work. My fathers suses it and it sugar drop. The best advice I was given and this has helped me to figure out how much insulin to take is to keep track of your CARBS. There is a formula you can use The doctor should have given you a sliding scale. You can ask your doctor or ask your dietician on counting carbs. It takes some time but it's worth the effort.

you may want to check out a site called nutritiondata.com or self.com. Self is a magazine bt has a nutrtion section. This site is excelleny! also, diabetic connect,com…I believe there are docors and nurses you can call. Good Luck! Don 't get discourage. Like anything else, it takes time to get the hand of it.

Been T1 for 46 years…the major change I had to make to avoid variable sugars is to go on a low carb diet…basically eliminating most of the need to juggle Novalog. I try to live off the Lantus as much as possible and take it twice a day…most in the am and a topper in the evening. (20 and 5). The more carbs (and Novalog to cover) you take, the harder it is to control the sugars. I don't worry about limiting fats and most veggies are low carb. Shooting Humalog is always a relatively high risk venture…lows and highs are exaggerated. Lantus lows are relatively gentle and don't spike nearly as much. Congrats on your success so far…keep it up. You don't want to start incurring complications at this point…I've been lucky so far.

Hi guys for me using Lantus and novolog are good like Moe? As long as carbs are controlled Lantus usually covers most of my day. Lately body is going through new changes so am again looking for answers, Endo wants to consider pump soon so all of these ideas are a great help. My Endo continues to point out that DIET will be my key to controlling the big D, sometimes easier said than done. Good luck!

im in college full time which sometimes is even harder then working full time i reckon!!

Im T1 and have been for about 8 years!! i hated taking the lantus for a number of reasins but have recently moved to a pump!! i feel like it suits my lifestyle much better then the multipule daily injections and i have never had better control!! would you consider trying the pump?? if it doesnt work you can always switch back but i think trying alternative treatments is deadly!!! i couldnt believe how used to the pump i got, its like i was never on needles and i certainly never want to go back!!i also tried the novo mix ( two needles a day ) it was good for a while but i still prefer my pump!!

If you want to ask any questions send me a post and ill give you all my advice !!

I was on Lantus/Novolog before starting on an insulin pump in August 2011. I have been a Type 1 since I was 27 and am now 63. Because my A1c kept creeping higher over the past two years, my PCP kept upping my nighttime Lantus dose. I was experiencing severe morning lows but he made no changes. I finally went to see an Endocrinologist in December 2010. She reduced my Lantus dose and changed it from nighttime to morning. She also got me back to properly counting carbs and dosing my Novolog appropriately. It helped some but I eventually decided to start on the pump and am very happy I did. However, the pump demands even more input from you. I am testing 7 to 10 times a day to get the data needed to properly program the pump settings. Everytime you eat, you must input the carb values of your food to properly dose your boluses. Don't get me wrong, the pump is a godsend and I love it, but in order for it to work well you've got to test and count carbs. I still don't exercise on a regular schedule but have started walking with a friend 3 to 4 times a week. Exercise usually helps…(we know it does but why is it so hard to DO it???) My last A1c was back down to 6.4. Hurrah!

This is very inspirational, which I need right now. My endo, whom I usually love and motivates me, unfortunately and I think unintentionally discouraged me from switching to the pump on the phone today. It really depressed me. I am afraid it will set me back, but my mother of course tells me not to give up. It's tough because I like 2 hours away from my doctor and 1.5 hour away from my job. She explained to me that starting the pump will become a 2-week long or longer start-up commitment. How did you all make the time to do this?! Ugh! I only get 15 total days off a year and taking the necessary steps to start the pump would use ALL of these days! Have you ever done a medical leave or anything like that? You sound like you have almost perfect control with an A1C that low!You should be very proud. ;) I'm so impressed and envious and happy to hear it!Thank you so much for your reply!!

I am currently retired, so don't have the demands of a job on my time now. When I was working, though, my typical workday was 10 to 12 hours, so I can commiserate with the time demands. Going on the pump demands a commitment from you to be super-conscientious about managing your diabetes. For me, that meant sending in my BG readings (7 to 10 per day) to the endo every week so they could tweak the settings for my pump. It took until December before we were truly comfortable with the settings. I didn't need to stop my daily routine but I did need to find the time to record and send in the results. This may be why your endo discouraged you. Are you willing to do this? Although ultimately, a pump may provide better control, it's unlikely to work unless you are totally committed to providing the input needed and to religiously counting your carbs. I felt that my health and my future were worth the effort it took and it is working. Good luck to you!

I am ready and committed now, but yes, that did discourage me due to the amount of time it would take for treatment and for me to get myself to keep diligent records. I am already keeping them now though! I met with a close family friends/diabetes educator who is more convenient for me to see and she changed my world!!!!!And so did all of you!thank you!xo Best

I am a type 2 diagnosed almost 8 years ago. When I was on the novo log / lantus combo I found it hard to control my numbers. Since going on the pump 7 months ago I have not felt better, my A1c dropped, my numbers are easier to control and I don't have to carry needles around! I totally think you should consider that option

Thank you! I AM considering it 100%! Its just so hard to make the time for ..yourself..ha. Sounds silly. Type 2 with a pump? Interesting, I don't think I have personally heard of that, but I am so happy for you that it has worked and that your A1C has dropped! Thats HUGE!Thank you so much!

Excellent advice, especially for a newly diagnosed diabetic. There is so much to learn and drs are not always into going the extra mile, which is why finding that good health care team is so important.

Very true, although I am not newly diagnosed…I've had this since my 6th birthday, 20 years ago! I always had great control but now I am struggling. I really am glad to find this community!! Thank you for your reply!!

I am 25 Type 1 as well. Up until last year I was also on a lantus/humalog regimen. I may be able to help more if you are able to share some of the specific issues you are experiencing but for now:

For myself I was simply on one injection per night. The amount was adjusted over time— basically if you have lows in the mornings you might be getting overlap and need to lower the nightly lantus dose. If you are constantly high in the evenings then upping the dose would probably help.

My older brother is also a T1 and still uses the lantus/humalog system. He works a night shift with physical activity and found better results splitting his lantus into two injections— one in the morning and one in the evening.

The best way to gain control is to monitor A LOT. keep a log, check your BG more often and record what you eat. The more you do it the tighter your control will get.

Obviously I also recommend that you talk to your doctors (either an endo, diabetes educator,etc) as well but I know this is not always the easiest thing to do for various reasons.

HI Eric!Thank you so much for your prompt and thorough response! I just joined DC this morning, so its cool that I'm already having such a positive experience!Everything you suggested are things I've tried and if not, are definitely things that I agree with and know, but regardless, I thank you immensely. I have been trying to test more often but it sure is tough, dont ya think? Any tips on testing more without it becoming only a daunting task? hahaha thats a tough one!I, like you, used to give ONE injection of Lantus at night only, but that stopped working when I started working…so my nutritionist and doctors suggested split dosing, which hasnt worked either. I really do not exercise at all, and I dont eat properly because I eat according to my life schedule, which is commuting 3-4 hours a day and working basically the rest of the day. I find it so incredibly difficult to record everything also. How do diabetics make time for themselves? ha.You said you used to be on the Lantus/Humalog regimen, so what are you doing now? The pump? I am considering beginning on the pump but hadnt had any time off to do that until the new year. Thank you for reading, thank you so much. In addition, your response has inspired me to try giving my Lantus at night again because that was working better than what I am doing now :/Thank you!!

You're welcome! As for testing/recording there isn't really much to say— There is pen and paper, smart phone apps, and many meters that let you download the numbers but it all depends on finding the time/motivation to do it. It's tough.

About a year ago I decided to try a pump (Omnipod at the moment) and for the most part I enjoy it. You go from two types of insulin to just one— and although that sounds like you might save some $$— you probably won't. Some of the supplies for pumps go through medical insurance which means meeting your deductible and more out of pocket expenses.

But don't let that deter you! The pumps give you the advantage of adjusting/tweaking your Basal rate, Carb ratio, Target BG, etc on the fly. If you decide to exercise you can temporarily adjust your basal. Running high at the same time everyday? You can change your carb ratio or basal rate for those hours specifically. Basically there are more numbers to adjust but once you get them figured out they work better with changes in your day to day activities.

Both systems do work though. I won't sit here and say a pump is the best thing ever— my best A1C was actually when I was using Lantus/Humalog— but ONLY if I kept track of numbers rigorously— with the pump it keeps a log of my data so I no longer really think about it as much. Sometimes I used to forget if I had already given myself a bolus for some food I ate a few moments ago and would risk double-bolusing. Now that never happens.

If you have not researched them yet I suggest talking with your doctor about them. I was able to talk to an educator who allowed me to wear one for a couple days to see how I would like it before purchasing.

Well I have been using the Omnipod system for about a year now. Obviously the main difference between it and other pumps is that it is tubeless. I have not used a tubed pump so I can't really compare them but I do enjoy being able to place the pods at locations other than my waist line (arms, thighs, I have even tried the calf).

The packaging is very nice— by this I mean the pods that you replace all come packaged with their own syringe so you don't have to buy them separate. They come in boxes of 10. Since you replace them every 3 days or so that would be 1 box per month. I suggest purchasing an extra box or two to keep on hand in case you get a faulty pod or bad infusion (this is rare but has happened).

The case for the PDM/Glucose meter has a slot for an insulin bottle and even extra AAA batteries which I find useful. The PDM has the glucose meter built in (it uses Freestyle test strips) so you do not need to use a separate meter or transfer your numbers. Pretty much all the math and calculations are done for you by the PDM.

Replacing the Pods is pretty easy and fairly quick. You do not have to insert the infusion by hand or anything— it is all automatic. It asks you to check the infusion site but I find this pretty much impossible to see. They were suppose to be coming out with newer thinner pods that had a blue cannula that is easier to see but so far it has not passed FDA approval.

Now the few things I do not like about the system:

-there is no volume control for the alerts (this is to remind you to change the pod)-if a pod's infusion site does get messed up you pretty much have to replace the entire pod— sometimes you can salvage the remaining insulin.-if you forget your PDM somewhere you are SOL— unlike a regular pump where all the controls are at your hip by necessity.-although waterproof, you can't disconnect the insulin from the pump if you wanted to go into a sauna or hot tub (not a big deal but kind of a damper if you do that after an exercise)-the PDM uses AAA batters… I don't know why, I recommend getting rechargeable ones (Eneloops are nice and cheap on amazon)

That is all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment. Oh pro-tip- if you do get this system the pods are suppose to beep when you fill them with insulin (this is them being activated)— sometimes they dont beep— this does not mean the pod is faulty tho, it may just be the speaker— I used to throw them away until I realized this and it was a huge waste.

No worries! This is GREAT! Thank you for everything! You give a lot of detail and I like that. I really appreciate it. I had a pump learning session with a close family friend this weekend that I think changed my entire life! I will keep you posted on my pump progress, but I'm pretty sure Im getting one! I must say that your advice has really helped to sway me in the right direction, thank you fellow diabetical stranger!!!;)

Thank you so much for your reinforcement and feedback. Last night, I did try giving my Lantus before bed as I used to and its not GREAT, but I woke up at 259 instead of 377!! Its a good start! Thank you!! Times have been really tough for me lately and I really appreciate the time you put into my inquiry. I hope that one day, I can help you as you have helped me.:)